[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/business-commerce-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 948 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general business/commerce students.
Finding the Best Value General Business/Commerce School for You
The general business/commerce program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for general business/commerce in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #5 spot this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #6 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College came in at #7 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $28,496. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Frederick Community College placed #8 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $7,062 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $33,619. Set against $7,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Essex Community College landed the #9 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,400 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $44,682. Set against $10,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland placed #10 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Palomar College earned the #11 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Pima Community College landed the #12 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,974. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $31,107. That is a strong return on a $9,974 median debt.
Shasta College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College placed #14 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
El Centro College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $34,095. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cosumnes River College came in at #16 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Rhode Island placed #17 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,940 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $39,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $13,180. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $5,421 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $24,738. That is a strong return on a $5,421 median debt.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #20 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,149. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Chabot College landed the #22 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #23 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $12,799. General Business/commerce graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $6,500. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College came in at #25 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,250. General Business/commerce graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $26,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general business/commerce this year:
General Business/Commerce Related Rankings by Major
General Business/Commerce is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 948 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 421 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/business-commerce-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
